There are many terms that players need to learn and understand when they are playing poker. Your understanding of the game, the terms involved, and everything else associated with playing, is going to help you become a better and more informed player.
The game of poker is home to many abbreviations, some of which will be used in the game on a regular basis, while some others will be used infrequently, but if you know them, you are likely to have more knowledge than some others on the table.
Below you will find our poker abbreviations glossary, designed to teach you the main abbreviations that you are going to come across during your time as a player.
AF – Aggression Factor – A ratio working out the playing or calling of a player
ATC – Any Two Cards – The term for a player who plays any two cards, never folding
ATS – Attempt to steal – how often a player attacks the blinds from a late position
B/C – Bet / Call – a player bets and then calls a raise
B/F – Bet / Fold – a player bets and then folds to a raise
BB – Big Blind
BR – Bankroll
BRB – Bankroll Building
BRM – Bankroll Management
BSS – Big Stack Strategy – strategy for players with a full stack of chips to use in the game
BU – Button – position of the dealer on the table
C/B – Check behind – checking after an opponent has checked
C/C – Check / Call – a player checks, then calls
C/F – Check / Fold – a player checks, then folds
C/R – Check / Raise – a player checks, then raises
CO – Cutoff – position before the dealer on the table
EP – Early Position – the early positions on the table
EV – Expected Value
FL – Fixed Limit
FR – Full Ring – a game that has seven players or more
HU – Heads-up – a game involving just two players
ICM – Independent Chip Model – the mathematical model for a tournament at high blind levels
IP – In Position – a player is in position if he acts after his opponent
ITM – In the money – a player is ITM in a tournament if he is guaranteed a place that will win money
LAG – Loose-Aggressive – a LAG plays many hands with a very aggressive attitude on the table
LH – Longhand – a game with seven or more players
LP – Late Position – the late positions on the table
MP – Middle Position – the middle positions on the table
MTT – Multi Table Tournament – a tournament involving many players so it must be played on multiple tables, which lower in number until the final players all play together on one table
NL – No-Limit
OOP – Out of Position – A player is OOP if he must act before his opponent
PFR – Preflop Raise – a raise before the flop
ROI – Return on Investment – the ratio between investment and return, between tournament buy-in and winnings
SB – Small Blind
SH – Shorthanded – a game that involves between three and six players
SHC – Starting Hands Chart – tabular overview of the actions to take for a particular starting hand, given conditions at the table like position and opposing action
SNG – Sit and Go – A tournament that begins when enough players register to take part
SSS – Shortstack Strategy – Strategy for play with a small stack in no-limit games
STT – Single Table Tournament – A small tournament where all players will play on one table against each other
TAG – Tight-Aggressive – a player is a TAG if he only plays a small number of hands, but when he does play them, he is very aggressive in the game
TPMK – Top Pair / Medium Kicker – when one starting card matches the highest board card to make a pair, and the player’s second card is of moderate value
TPTK – Top Pair / Top Kicker – when one starting card matches the highest board card to make a pair, and the player’s second card is as high as possible
UTG – Under the Gun – The playing position that comes directly after the blind position
VPIP / VP$IP – Voluntary put $ in the pot – the percentage of hands for which a player invests money in the first round of wagers
WSD – Won at Showdown – how often a player wins the showdowns he’s involved in
WSOP – World Series of Poker – The big poker tour for professional players that takes place both online and around the world
WTSD – Went to Showdown – how often a player goes to the showdown